The newest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
